Indie lyrics and soap-style cliffhangers: Your pocket guide to Springwatch

Hurrah! Three-week-long wildlife extravaganzaSpringwatch is back on BBC Two, Red Button and online for its 11th year. To celebrate, the TV blog's resident Springwatch super-fan is proud - and frankly a little over-excited - to present a five-point guide to what makes the annual telly event so watchable… 



1. “It looks like a Vicar in a Tutu!” Chris Packham’s pop culture references

Since Chris Packham joined the Springwatch team back in 2009, it’s been an open secret that the bona fide indie kid (check out his 6Music playlist!) peppers his scripts with sly allusions to his favourite songs, lyrics, artists and films.

Bowie tracks, film titles and The Smiths lyrics have all made their way into the show - and the fact that he once described an ecosystem as ‘A Design for Life’ makes Packham a true hero of our age, and perhaps the biggest Manic Street Preachers fan we know. Take a bow, sir.

Chris, of course, hasn't disappointed this year, with several references already cropping up during the first few episodes (we won't tell you the theme, that's half the fun). Missed them? Better re-watch the series so far on BBC iPlayer.

2. “GET OUTTA MY NEST!” Follow the sensational storylines

Murder! Affairs! Bust-ups! Not just the domain of EastEnders, my friend. If you want scandalous stories, you need to get Springwatch-watching.

With the BBC Two episodes stripped across the week and cameras peeking into nests 24/7, we get to see chicks growing up before our eyes, romances blossoming and - brace yourselves - more tragedy than even Ian Beale has had to contend with.

And if you can't wait a whole day to get your next dose of drama, make sure you stay glued to the live streams. This is especially true if a clutch of baby birds is on the brink of flying the nest. Predict correctly when those little bundles of fluff will leave the nest, and you’ll be elevated to uber-fan status in no time.

3. And now we cross to Martin… in some sort of swamp

Let's not beat around the holly bush (Ilex aquifolium, Latin fans), Martin Hughes-Games is a superhero.

While Michaela Strachan brings vast knowledge and keen insight into the exploits of Spineless Simon (he's this year's star, FYI, and has his own Twitter account @spinelesssimon), Chris gives us nerdy graphs charting the population density of lichen, and Iolo Williams treats us to nature's adventures in Scotland. But it’s down to co-presenter Martin to get out in the field. Or up a tree. Or knee-deep in a freezing pond after dark.

Come rain or, well, rain usually, Martin battles the elements to bring nature knowledge to the masses. And for that, we salute him.

4. #GetInvolved!

A large and enthusiastic community has built up around Springwatch and its seasonal sister series, Autumnwatch – and YOU are invited to join in. As well as chatting during the shows you can share any magical nature moments you’re lucky enough to glimpse using #WildlifeFromMyWindow. (And if you have an off-day, well there’s always #WildPhotoFails).

With the Springwatch website, plus Springwatch on Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and even Soundcloud, there’s no excuse not to get stuck in. Go on, fill your wellington boots.

5. Killer whales and super-cute mammals in your living room

The true star of Springwatch is - above all - the great British wildlife that it brings into our homes and onto our phones and tablets.

Broadcast from the breath-taking Minsmere reserve in Suffolk, the series has already treated us to spectacular views of killer whales off the Scottish coast, the secret life of shrimps, hen harriers, stoats, avocets and puffins.

And with nine new episodes ahead, we can only imagine what sights and stories are still to come. Most importantly of all: will Spineless Simon ever find love…?

Springwatchcontinues every Monday to Thursday at 9pm on BBC Two until 11 June.Each episode will be available in BBC iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast on TV.

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.